Cleveland, Ohio – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio announced that it had successfully collected $27,882,120.34 in civil and criminal actions during fiscal year 2024 (FY 2024). This amount includes $12,537,202.34 from civil damages, penalties, and interest owed to the United States and $15,344,918 in criminal restitution collected for victims of federal crimes. Additionally, the office forfeited $7,701,470 in assets connected to criminal activity, bringing the combined total collections to $35,583,590.34.
Significant Collection Efforts
The forfeited assets, which are still pending an additional $50 million in orders, are deposited into the Department of Justice Asset Forfeiture Fund or the Treasury Asset Forfeiture Fund. These funds are then used to compensate crime victims and for other law enforcement purposes.
“Every year, dedicated USAO employees work hard to collect debts owed to the government based on false claims, environmental damage, controlled-substance violations, and the like, and return that money to the U.S. taxpayers,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko for the Northern District of Ohio. “They also work to recover money for victims of crime to make them whole and ensure that justice is served from a financial perspective.”
Notable Civil Collections
Several significant settlements were reached in FY 2024 in civil cases:
- Cleveland Clinic Foundation: Paid $7.6 million to settle allegations under the False Claims Act related to federal grant applications and progress reports.
- Ohio Refining Co. and Others: A group of companies, including Chevron USA Inc. and Energy Transfer LLC, paid $7,282,518.92 to settle allegations of industrial pollution near Toledo.
- Republic Steel: Paid $1,051,169.49 in civil penalties as part of a consent decree to address Clean Air Act violations and reduce air pollution.
Major Criminal Collections
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also achieved notable results in criminal cases:
- U.S. v. Aydin Kalantarov: The defendant, convicted of wire fraud and identity theft, was ordered to pay $7,799,400 in restitution to the Small Business Association (SBA). In January 2024, $5,624,627.21 in forfeited funds were transferred to the Clerk of Courts for restitution payments.
- U.S. v. Matthew Maluchnik: Convicted of healthcare fraud and making false tax statements, Maluchnik was ordered to pay $941,068.50 in restitution. The office transferred $715,979.50 in forfeited funds to victims.
- U.S. v. Christopher Hardin: Hardin, sentenced in 2019 for mail fraud, was ordered to pay $671,699.73 to more than a dozen victims. In FY 2024, $655,574.73 was recovered for those victims.
A Commitment to Justice and Accountability
Across the United States, the Department of Justice’s 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the government and restitution payments owed to victims of federal crimes. Criminal fines and felony assessments are directed to the Department’s Crime Victims Fund, which supports federal and state victim compensation and assistance programs.
The Northern District of Ohio’s success in FY 2024 highlights its ongoing commitment to recovering funds for taxpayers, enforcing environmental and financial regulations, and supporting crime victims. With these achievements, the office has reaffirmed its dedication to justice, accountability, and community service.
